Comments on: For Ages “Dragon” and Up

By: Aiki

Aiki — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:52:15 +0000

@Steve & Sword. Can I have an apology for all versions of D&D?

D&D (Any version) is the worst intro game to RPGs in the universe and yet because of historical weight it still pulls in most of the new players as their first game. This is a terrible disservice to new gamers IMHO.

By: Zapp

Zapp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:52:04 +0000

Yet another call for a challenge level type of mechanism. As I see it, it boils down to “D&D got it, so why not Game XYZ?”.
Where in fact most other fantasy games does not contain anything of the sort, just like DA. Still, people managed.
In my opinion, this is good, because it tells the GM he must think for himself, and that the game isn’t simply a combat generator.
Only if you’re deep into D&D will encounter-generating rules feel like a given, and its omission a mistake.

By: budalic

budalic — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:35:05 +0000

The game already features point-buy stat system, so it’s really wierd that there isn’t one in the game, considering that the buyers should be people who played cRPG.

By: sword

sword — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:37:53 +0000

Truth hurts, does it not Steve? Freedom of speech can be a sonofabitch sometimes.
Fact is, 90% of my comments was concerning the review, so you can spout around “troll” as your defense mechanism all you want, but that doesn’t make it so. And if comments were open to only those who were in 100% agreement with Ari, his review, and his review style, why have comments in the first place?
Try harder next time, tool.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:51:50 +0000

“Decent review from a 4e apologist – not too many comparisons to D&D and not too many back-handed compliments”
You sir are a troll, that statement had nothing to do with the the review or its subject matter, next time just STFU.
I liked the review and I liked it was upfront about the authors relationship with Green Ronin, and while my opinion on placing the GM adjudication up front is a good thing since your target audience is people who have played Dragon Age as a console or computer game and its going to be the newest thing, since they have a grasp of the game mechanics of the computer and console games already.
Keep up the good work Ari.

By: sword

sword — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:49:44 +0000

I’d say, overall, a good review. I agree with much of what you said.
I don’t take anything away from this game not having a point-buy or array system of character generation. Those methods produce some very cookie-cutter results, in my opinion. To each their own, though. Honestly, A point-buy system can easily extrapolated from the attribute system used that even newbies, if they really wanted to, could handle it.
Also, I like the fact all the adjudication in right there in the front of the GM Book. Remember, Ari, they are making this for new GM’s and having it spread throughout the book or at a later point means page-turing, not fast resolution.
As for as challenge building, I do agree that some method should have been addressed. I’m glad CR wasn’t used, and I’m also glas the 4e system wasn’t used, either. Both are lacking.
In the end, as I said, I do agree with much of what you said. Decent review from a 4e apologist – not too many comparisons to D&D and not too many back-handed compliments (well, there were a decent number, but hey).

By: Machpants

Machpants — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:31:19 +0000

I totally agree with your review:
They should have included another method of char gen. Doesn’t have to be point buy, I think a DnD style Elite Array would be good for beginners (experts can do what they want!).
As to the monsters and challenge, well we have discussed that on ENW!
One thing I reckon you missed was the limited char start options, now I know that could be off-putting for newbies but only ONE type of Dwarf? I think a bit more would have been good.
The other thing I think they could have done is sorted out the ranges, they use yard ranges (like 2 yards) but talk about 5 Foot squares… they don’t go well together. I would have liked a system more like WFRP3, abstract combat with ‘how to do it with miniatures/maps’ in the GM guide as advanced options.
Good review

By: Ari Marmell

Ari Marmell — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:43:00 +0000

Yikes! Thanks for the correction, David.
Guess it just goes to prove what I was saying, about not being a computer gamer. :-}

By: David

David — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:32:39 +0000

One small note, the computer game “Dragon Age: Origins” is not an online game. It is a stand-alone, single person RPG, more like games such as Oblivion, Baldur’s Gate, Ultima, etc. There is no online interaction with any other users, just a single adventure one plays on their own.